US scientist Charles Zimmerman determined that a helicopter rotor could work just as well if put below a vehicle as above it. After a scary-looking device with uncovered blades called the De Lackner Aerocycle was flown, the Hiller Company built the VZ-1 Pawnee.

The Pawnee worked on the basis of so-called 'kinesthetic control'. In other words, the vehicle's direction and speed was controlled by the pilot shifting his body. It was thought that any soldier could learn this instinctive form of control.

Second and third versions, each with a larger, deeper rotor duct were built. The third was so large that kinesthetic control was ineffective and it had a seat and conventional helicopter controls. These designs flew well enough, but the army judged them to be too small, slow and of limited usefulness and practicality for combat service.

Jim Winchester "The World's Worst Aircraft", 2005

In late 1953 the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR), acting as technical direction agent for the Army, awarded Hiller Helicopters a contract for the development of a twin-engined ducted fan VTOL research vehicle of the 'flying platform' type. The craft was intended to explore both the practicality of the ducted fan as a propulsion unit for V/STOL aircraft and the potential military value of the flying platform as a tactical reconnaissance and transport vehicle. The first prototype of the Hiller machine was completed in September 1954 and given the interim, non-standard Navy designation YHO-1E. The vehicle made its first non-tethered flight in February 1955, and shortly thereafter was redesignated VZ-1.

The first VZ-1 prototype bore a superficial resemblance to the contemporary De Lackner HZ-1 and, like that machine, carried its pilot and twin 40hp engines on a small circular platform directly above two contra-rotating airscrews. Unlike those of the HZ-1, however, the Hiller machine's fans were mounted inside a five-foot diameter duct, beneath which were fitted eight moveable vanes used to improve the craft's lateral stability. The VZ-1's pilot stood upright just behind the narrow control pedestal, to which he was secured by safety belts, and held onto a set of bicycle-like handlebars fitted with a simple twist throttle and a propeller torque control. The flying platform was kinesthetically controlled; to initiate directional movement the pilot would simply lean in the desired direction and alter the craft's altitude by increasing or decreasing engine power.

The Army was favorably impressed by the VZ-1's performance during the initial ONR-managed flight test programme, and in November 1956 ordered a single modified example for service testing and operational evaluation. This second VZ-1 differed from the first example in having a third 40hp engine, an eight-foot diameter duct without lower control vanes, and a simplified control pedestal. The second Pawnee (serial 56-6944) made its maiden flight in 1958, and the following year was joined in Army service by a third, further modified example. This third VZ-1 (serial 56-6945) had a duct of greatly increased height, a single circular landing skid instead of the three- and four-point wheeled landing gear of the earlier craft, conventional helicopter-type flight controls, and a seat for the pilot.

The VZ-1s provided a wealth of valuable information about VTOL flight in general and the value of the ducted fan in particular, but ultimately proved to be too ungainly, too heavy, too slow, and too mechanically delicate to be of any real value on the battlefield. Further development of the type was therefore suspended and all three types had been withdrawn from service by 1963.

I admire the inventor of this ?Hiller flying platform,but?its noisy and loud,can an electric model be possible?that would surprise our enemy ,The Terrorist and Communist?and how long would a battery last,for this Flying Plat Form,if it is electrified?

daniel lenhardt, e-mail, 21.04.2014

and here I thought You only needed a single engine for a single engined aircraft.

Homebuilder of midget mustang, I ran in the general circle..It was once said to me that the hiller project was killed off by our lovely government. The thought at the time was that due to it's simple design and construction the government just did not want the people to have that (the hiller) kind of un-checked transportation freedom.

I am training many fighters and giving them the ability to fly will make the bombs they wear MUCH more effective.

Southard Tech, e-mail, 17.09.2010

Starting the design of a twin terbo jet version of the platform. Need investors for prototype and possable mass production. I am a design engineer that can make it work!

Gordon Dahle, e-mail, 14.06.2010

Go to Google Patents and type in "flying Platform." The original patent can be found there. It is fairly detailed. A mechanically-minded person could build a flying model from the patent. But remember it needed both engines to offset the torgue and fly. If one engine failed it would crash. A balistic parachute would be a necessity!

Michael, e-mail, 14.02.2010

Are any plans available for the Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee, and if so are they for sale?

Laden, e-mail, 28.12.2009

Please send blueprints to me.

I am training many fighters and giving them the ability to fly will make the bombs they wear MUCH more effective.

will pay top dollar for blueprints, please email price

buck rodger, 18.07.2009

i don't think there are any blue print concerning any of the flying platforms the only way i can think of is to make your own look at pictures spec sheets movies look at displays at various museums thats what im doing research research research i really don't think they want alot of flying platforms around so they didn't release the designs

EDDIE LOPEZ, e-mail, 06.10.2008

IT CAN BE DONE MOCH EASIER AND MORE EFFICIENT.

Jonathan, e-mail, 20.01.2008

Hello,I'm thinking about building one of these,does anyone got CONCRETE plans, well-detailed and correct?Thanks

khaled, e-mail, 03.09.2007

i want to know its price and how to buy it and from where plz answer me verey fast befor 9/9/2007

Eyad, e-mail, 25.06.2007

To all people who want more information about flying platform ,please make search by Internet both the web and the images ( Google good Choice ) Eyad

ben hadad, e-mail, 02.06.2007

hello,i wanted to know if you can please send me the blueprints. i beg of you. if you can send it as soon as possible to meBenhadad007@aol.comthanks

Bob Blewett, e-mail, 30.05.2007

I WANT TO KNOW IF THE HUMMINGBIRD IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR SALE? AND IF SO HOW MUCH?

Jean-marc perreault, e-mail, 02.05.2007

I'm seeking detail pick of the 2nd+3th prototype for model building project in 1/48 scale Hope someone can help out ! Thanks in advance Jmarcjmarcpe@videotron.ca

dennis scott wallace, e-mail, 27.03.2007

where can a person get blue prints for this ,with todays composites and two aixro 30lb 50hp wankels and composite blades and gyros running flaps might be do'able